Accessory connector

ABSTRACT

An accessory connector for attaching an external control device to a portable two-way radio. The connector consists of two portions; the first portion being secured to the radio housing in place of the push-to-talk switch, and the second portion being secured to the radio housing in place of the push-to-talk switch actuator. The two portions, when coupled together, provide an electrical and mechanical connection between the external operating device and the two-way radio thereby allowing remote operation in place of operation from the push-to-talk switch.

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nt/n 1,897,954 2/1933 DOlier, Jr 339/92 2,142,993 1/1939 Brown 325/16 2,421,516 6/1947 Mitchell 325/16 FOREIGN PATENTS 860,423 1/1941 France 339/91 F Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn AttorneyMueller and Aichele ABSTRACT: An accessory connector for attaching an external control device to a portable two-way radio. The connector consists of two portions; the first portion being secured to the radio housing in place of the push-to-ta1k switch, and the second portion being secured to the radio housing in place of the push-to-talk switch actuator. The two portions, when coupled together, provide an electrical and mechanical connection between the external operating device and the two-way radio thereby allowing remote operation in place of operation from the push-to-talk switch.

PATENTEU NUVZ l97l SHEET E OF 2 lnve'nfor JOSEPH D. KEHL QLLM ATT YS im qmiiqPQ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Portable two-way radios are ordinarily used in one of two ways. The user may hold the radio in front of his face, depress the transmitter operate switch, commonly called a push-totalk switch, on the side of the unit, and speak into the microphone located on the front of the unit. In the alternate method, the user may mount the radio in a carrying case on his hip and connect a remote operating device, such as a speakermicrophone, to the radio which can then be clipped to a shirt pocket or a jacltet lapel. To operate the radio the user depresses the push-to-talk switch located on the speakermicrophone and speaks into the microphone. The former usage is commonly termed local operation and the latter usage is termed remote operation.

In order to provide both methods of operation, a manufacturer is required to malre and stock two varieties of radio housings. The first variety, providing local operation, contains a push-to-talk switch on the side of the radio housing and other standard operational controls on the top of the housing. The second variety of housing, providing remote operation, will include all of the controls contained in the first unit plus a connector mounted to the top of the housing. This connector allows connection to and operation from a remote operating device such as a speaker-microphone.

The normal configuration and location of this external connector maltes it particularly susceptible to damage if the radio should be accidentally dropped. In addition, if it is desired to convert a radio that is normally held in front of the face to one which is remotely operated, the necessary modifications are costly and extremely difficult to perform because holes must be drilled and tapped in a plastic or metal housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved accessory connector which allows use of one radio housing for either method of a portable two-way radio operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an accessory connector for a radio which is less susceptible to damage if the radio should he accidentally dropped.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an accessory connector for a radio which appears to be an integral part of the radio housing.

A further object of this invention is to provide an accessory connector which allows easy modification of the radio for either method of usage.

In practicing this invention, an accessory connector is provided to allow remote operation of a portable two-way radio. A push-to-talk switch and actuator for the push-to-talk switch, mounted in the side of the radio housing, and used when the radio is operated locally, are removed to allow mounting of the accessory connector. The connector consists of two portions. The first portion including a hollow bushing and connector is secured to the housing in place of the push-to-talk switch and electrically connected to the radio. The second portion including a receptacle and a molded plastic cover, is mounted to the housing in place of the switch actuator. The receptacle of the second portion mates with the connector of the first portion. A screw attached to the housing of the second portion is threadably secured to the bushing of the first portion. The receptacle of the second portion is electrically and mechanically connected to an external operating device to allow remote operation of the radio.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a radio housing showing the mounting of the push-to-talk switch;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the accessory connector;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the disassembled second portion of the accessory connector;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a disassembled first portion of the accessory connector;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the bushing used in the first portion;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable two-way radio showing the accessory connector and remote operating device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, in a radio used for local operation, the push-to-talk switch 116 is mounted through opening 11 in side 113 of the radio housing and secured by nut 12. Wires l4 electrically connect switch to the radio. Switch actuator 16 is mounted to projection 16 on side 13 of the radio housing with roll pin 15. Spring 17 returns actuator 16 to its off" position when the switch actuator is released. To assemble the accessory connector to the radio housing and provide remote operation, switch 10, switch actuator 16 and spring 17 are disconnected and removed from the housing.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and d, the accessory connector of this invention includes a first portion 26 and a second portion 21. The first portion 20 is attached to side 13 of the radio housing in place of push-to-tallt switch 110. Connector 23 in the first portion is made of a molded plastic base 26 with electrical contacts 25 mounted therein. Connector 23 is positioned on side 13 of the radio housing with opening 26 in connector 23 directly above opening 111 in side 13 of the radio housing.

Bushing 19 has a cylindrical shape with a hole 29 extending partially through the center thereof along the axis of the bushing. The walls surrounding hold 29 have screw threads cut therein. The outer cylindrical surface of bushing 19 also has screw threads cut therein. Bushing 119 has two flat surfaces 22 in the otherwise cylindrical outer wall, to prevent turning of the bushing when mounted. Bushing 119 has a hole 31 therein perpendicular to its axis, and extending from the outer flat surface to hole 27. Hole 27 in bushing 19 extends partially through the center thereof along the bushing axis. Holes 27 and 29 are not joined at the center of bushing 19 in order to provide a seal between the radio components and outside environment.

To assemble the first portion 26 to side 13 of the radio housing, a sealing washer 30 is inserted over bushing l9. Bushing 19 is then inserted through opening ill in side 13 of the radio housing, through hole 46 in electrical insulator 67 and through opening 26 in connector 23. Nut 26 is threadably attached to bushing 19 thereby securing connector 23 to side 13 of the radio housing. Wires 1% attached to the two-way radio are fed through openings 27 and 311 in bushing 19 to contacts 25 in connector 23, thereby providing electrical connection between the radio and the first portion of the accessory connector. Hole 31 is then filled with sealing compound to seal the radio components from the outside environment.

The second portion 21 of the accessory connector is secured to side 13 of the radio housing in place of switch actuator 16. Cover 35 in the second portion of the accessory connector is made of a molded plastic and has a top and four sides. Captivated screw 36 is seated in countersunk opening 33 in the top of cover 33. Washer 3'? attached to screw 36 prevents screw 36 from being removed. Receptacle 62 is attached to the inner surface of the top of cover 35 by screw 32. Contacts 63 are located in receptacle d2. Strain relief 33 is inserted through an opening 3 5 in one side of cover 35. A cable 39 containing wires connected to the external operating device is fed through strain relief 33, cable clamp 40 and solder lug ill, and connected to contacts 63 in receptacle 62.

To mount the second portion 21 of the accessory connector to the radio housing, the second portion 21 is positioned on side 13 of the radio housing such that roll pin I5, normally used to mount switch actuator I6, is inserted in a U-shaped notch 45 in the side of the housing 35. The second portion is then secured to the first portion such that contacts 23 in connector 23 mate with contacts $3 in receptacle -62. Screw 36 in cover 33 is then inserted into hole 29 of bushing 19 and threadably secured to the inner threaded surface. The two portions of the connector are now securely attached to provide an electrical and mechanical connection between the external operating device and the portable two-way radio.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown .a portable two-way radio 50 with a remote operating device, such as a speakermicrophone 51, connected through the accessory connector.

As can be seen from the above, the accessory connector described allows use of one housing for either method of operation of a two-way radio. The physical location and method of construction of this connector reduce the susceptibility of the connector to damage should the radio be accidentally dropped. Mounting of the accessory connector in place of the push-to-talk switch is easily accomplished by either the manufacturer or the user and when so mounted, the accessory connector appears to be an integral part of the radio housing.

I claim:

1. A connector for converting a locally actuated portable radio to a remotely actuated portable radio, said portable radio including a housing having a wall wherein is located an opening for mounting a local actuation switch when said radio is locally actuated, and mounting means including a pivot pin adjacent said opening for pivotally securing an actuator for the local actuation switch when said radio is locally actuated, said connector including in combination, a first portion including securing means extending through the opening and engaging said wall for securing said first portion to said wall in place of said switch, a second portion electrically coupled to the external control device, and coupling means extending through said opening for electrically coupling said first portion to the radio, said second portion engaging said mounting means pivot pin for securing said second portion to said housing at a first point in place of said actuator, and mating with said first portion to provide an electrical and mechanical connection between the radio and the external control device, said second portion further engaging said securing means for securing said second portion to said housing at a second point, said second portion when secured to said first and second points providing operation of the radio from the external control device in place of the switch.

2. The connector of claim 1 further including first fastening means engaging said second portion and threadably attaching to said first portion for securing said second portion to said first portion, whereby said connector and the housing form a unitary assembly when so secured.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein, said first portion includes first electrical connection means coupled to the radio, said securing means securing said first electrical connection means to said housing, and wherein said coupling means couples said first electrical connection means to the radio through the opening in the housing.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said securing means includes a cylindrical hollow bushing, said bushing having inner and outer surfaces with screw threads thereon, said bushing further having an opening in the wall thereof perpendicular to the axis of said bushing, and a nut threadably attached to said bushing, said bushing and nut retaining said first electrical connection means in assembled relation with said housing, said coupling means extending from said first electrical connection means through the opening in said bushing wall and through the hollow center of said bushing to the radio.

5. The connector of claim 3 wherein said second portion includes a cover, second electrical connection means mounted in said cover for mating with said first electrical connection means in said first portion, said second connection means being coupled to the external control device.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said cover is a rectangular structure having a top and four sides, said second connection means being secured to the inner surface of said top, a side of said cover having a U-shaped notch cut therein parallel with said top, said notch cooperating with the switch actuator mounting means pivot pin to secure said second portion to the radio housin and wherein said second portion further includes fastening means engaging said top and threadably attaching to said securing means of said first portion securing said second portion to said first portion and the radio housing at said second point.

P I? I 

1. A connector for converting a locally actuated portable radio to a remotely actuated portable radio, said portable radio including a housing having a wall wherein is located an opening for mounting a local actuation switch when said radio is locally actuated, and mounting means including a pivot pin adjacent said opening for pivotally securing an actuator for the local actuation switch when said radio is locally actuated, said connector including in combination, a first portion including securing means extending through the opening and engaging said wall for securing said first portion to said wall in place of said switch, a second portion electrically coupled to the external control device, and coupling means extending through said opening for electrically coupling said first portion to the radio, said second portion engaging said mounting means pivot pin for securing said second portion to said housing at a first point in place of said actuator, and mating with said first portion to provide an electrical and mechanical connection between the radio and the external control device, said second portion further engaging said securing means for securing said second portion to said housing at a second point, said second portion when secured to said first and second points providing operation of the radio from the external control device in place of the switch.
 2. The connector of claim 1 further including first fastening means engaging said second portion and threadably attaching to said first portion for securing said second portion to said first portion, whereby said connector and the housing form a unitary assembly when so secured.
 3. The connector of claim 1 wherein, said first portion includes first electrical connection means coupled to the radio, said securing means securing said first electrical connection means to said housing, and wherein said coupling means couples said first electrical connection means to the radio through the opening in the housing.
 4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said securing means includes a cylindrical hollow bushing, said bushing having inner and outer surfaces with screw threads thereon, said bushing further having an opening in the wall thereof perpendicular to the axis of said bushing, and a nut threadably attached to said bushing, said bushing and nut retaining said first electrical connection means in assembled relation with said housing, said coupling means extending from said first electrical connection means through the opening in said bushing wall and through the hollow center of said bushing to the radio.
 5. The connector of claim 3 wherein said second portion includes a cover, second electrical connection means mounted in said cover for mating with said first electrical connection means in said first portion, said second connection means being coupled to the external control device.
 6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said cover is a rectangular structure having a top and four sides, said second connection means being secured to the inner surface of said top, a side of said cover having a U-shaped notch cut therein parallel with said top, said notch cooperating with the switch actuator mounting means pivot pin to secure said second portion to the radio housing, and wherein said second portion further includes fastening means engaging said top and threadably attaching to said securing means of said first portion securing said second portion to said first portion and the radio housing at said second point. 